Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Leanne's wedding dress is so pretty-and Leanne is, too, thought Joanna as
she watched her cousin come down the church aisle. And Logan is as good-looking
as Leanne always said he was. Although Joanna had often heard Leanne talk about
the young man she was marrying, she had not seen him before.
 

After the ceremony, Joanna watched Leanne and her new husband at the reception. Then as the newlyweds left on their honeymoon, everyone waved and called out their best wishes-almost everyone, that is. "Leanne's little sister didn't want her to go away with Logan," Joanna told her parents as they left for home. "She cried when they left."

"She didn't understand that Leanne's place is with Logan now," said Mom. "It would have been very hard for Leanne to convince Logan that she loved him if she hadn't wanted to go with him today, wouldn't it? When you love a person, you like to be with him, and talk to him."

"And talk about him, I guess," added Joanna. "Leanne was always talking about Logan."

Dad nodded. "Weddings always remind me of Christ and the Church-the people who are born again," he said. "In the Bible, Christ's love for the Church is compared to a husband's love for his wife." He shook his head as he added, "I wonder if Jesus believes us when we say we love Him, but we don't want to spend time with Him or talk about Him or to Him."

"You mean . . . like if we say we love Jesus but don't like to go to church or pray or tell other people about Him, then we must not really love Him very much?" asked Joanna.

Dad nodded. "It seems that way to me," he said. "After all, real love is more than words. It's wanting to be with and please the person you love."

"Yes," agreed Mom, "and the thing that pleases Jesus
most is obedience to Him. The way to show that we truly love Him is to obey
Him-to do what He says."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you really love Jesus, or do you just say you do? Do your actions show that you love Him? Do you love His people and His Word? Do you like to talk to Jesus? Do you obey His commands? If you love Him, show it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:15)
If ye love Me, keep My commandments.

[Soldier4Christ]

A deal's a deal, insisted William, laughing-but Grant didn't laugh at all.
After buying a walkman from William the day before, Grant had discovered that it
didn't work. William refused to return his money, and Grant was angry-very
angry.
 

Several days later, William went with his father to an electronics shop. As he was looking over some videos, he saw that Grant was there, too. William joined his dad at the counter, hoping Grant wouldn't see him. Grant spotted them and walked over to where William stood with his dad. "Hey, William," said Grant with a scowl, "got another broken walkman? Maybe you can sell it to some other sucker and get some more money."

As Grant angrily strode away, Dad looked at William. "What was that all about?" asked Dad.

"Uh . . . well. . . I sold Grant my old walkman," said William. "He wants his money back, but after all, a deal's a deal."

"You didn't tell him it didn't work?" asked Dad.

"He didn't ask," mumbled William.

Dad frowned. "William, how would you feel if someone did the same thing to you?" he asked.

"It would never happen," said William confidently.

"Don't be so sure," warned Dad. "You said you and Tad Cates are trading baseball cards, right? You already turned over a couple of yours, and he's going to bring his to school on Monday?"

"Yeah . . . so?" asked William suspiciously.

"I saw Mr. Cates a few minutes ago," said Dad. "He mentioned that the dog got hold of some of Tad's cards."

"If they're the ones he's supposed to give me, he's going to have to give mine back!" exclaimed William.

"Isn't a deal a deal anymore?" asked Dad. William looked
at the floor. "I think you can see that you need to start practicing a principle
Jesus gave us," said Dad. "He said, 'In everything, do to others what you would
have them do to you.' That's called the Golden Rule. I think it's a good rule,
don't you?" William sighed and nodded. "When we get home, you can call Grant to
apologize and tell him you'll return his money," said Dad. "By the way, Mr.
Cates said the dog got hold of basketball cards."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you follow the "Golden Rule"? When someone needs help, looks lonely, or attempts to join a game or conversation, do you think about how you'd like to be treated if you were in his shoes? That's what Jesus wants you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 7:12)
All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rachel came into the kitchen, her cheeks flushed. "Whew! It's getting hot
out there!" she exclaimed.
 

Mom looked up from wiping the kitchen counter. "You didn't stay long at Tracy's," she said in surprise.

"Well, I would have stayed longer," said Rachel, "but then . . ." She didn't finish her sentence, but pointed to a little round container that was on the floor near the door. There were a few ants on the floor, too. "What's that thing, Mom?" asked Rachel. "I think an ant just went into one of the holes on the side of it."

"Good!" said Mom. "That's an ant trap. I'm trying to rid the house of ants, so I bought bait."

"That thing might catch a few ants," said Rachel, "but there must be a lot more where those came from."

Mom nodded. "Yes," she agreed, "but the idea is for the ants to eat some of the poison bait and then take it to their colony. When that happens, the whole colony can be wiped out."

"Really!" exclaimed Rachel. "It looks like such a little thing, but it's pretty deadly." She sat down at the table. "Mom," she said, "the reason I came home so soon is because Tracy's mom isn't home. Tracy's cousin Emilee was there-she was supposed to be in charge of us. Well, she took out some cigarettes and started to smoke. She tried to get us to try them, too. Some of the kids wanted to, but I didn't. I'm not sure they were regular cigarettes, either-they smelled different. I decided to come home."

"Were they marijuana cigarettes?" asked Mom.

"I don't know. Maybe," said Rachel. "Emilee tried so hard to get all of us to try them, and I didn't like that."

"You know, Rachel, drugs are like that ant bait," said Mom. "They harm the person who uses them-but even worse, that person often tries to get others to use them. In the end, many lives may be ruined because one person took the bait and then offered it to others."

"Well, I'm glad I didn't take the bait from Emilee," said Rachel.

"I'm glad, too," agreed Mom. "God wants us to have
healthy bodies and minds so we can live good, helpful lives."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has anyone offered you something that would harm your body? Cigarettes and drugs may look quite harmless, but they can be deadly. If you're a Christian, your body is God's temple. Honor God in the way you take care of it and use it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Glorify God in your body.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jimmy's stomach told him it was lunch time, so he headed for the kitchen.
"Isn't lunch ready yet?" he asked. "I'm hungry!"
 

"I'll get it for you in just a minute," promised Mom as she finished decorating a cake.

"Whose birthday is it?" asked Jimmy.

"No one's," Mom replied. "This is for Angie's friend, Renae. She looked so longingly at the cake I had made for Angie's birthday party, that I told her I'd make one for her."

Jimmy leaned his elbows on the counter and watched his mother thoughtfully. "Why didn't you just surprise her instead of telling her about it ahead of time?" he asked.

"That would have been good," said Mom. "Sometimes that's the most 'fun' way to do something. On the other hand, being able to look forward to a gift might make it doubly good. We call that 'anticipation.' Not only will Renae have the joy of receiving it, but she has the joy of anticipating it as well."

"I guess that's true," agreed Jimmy. "I really get excited when I know I'm going to get a present."

Mom smiled. "God promised a gift in advance, too," she said. "Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God began telling people that someday He would send a Savior who would die for their sins."

Jimmy looked up. "Maybe He wanted people to enjoy looking forward to that."

"Maybe," said Mom, "and the Bible tells us about some other wonderful things God has in store for those who believe in Jesus."

"Like that Jesus is coming again and that we'll go to be with Him in heaven someday?" asked Jimmy.

Mom nodded as she covered the cake. "I'll start your lunch now," she said.

"Thanks, Mom!" Jimmy grinned. "I'm looking forward to it
already-and I'm sure it'll be worth waiting for!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you anticipate the future? If you know Christ as personal Savior you can happily look forward to spending eternity in heaven with Him. When things go wrong, don't forget that God has much better things planned for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:3)
(Jesus said) I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

[Soldier4Christ]

Oh, boy, Dad! I can't wait to get there! exclaimed Micah as he and his
father arrived at the train station.
 

Dad grinned at Micah and then looked out toward the tracks. "It looks like the train is almost ready to pull out-we must be later than I thought!" exclaimed Dad. "Good thing I got our tickets ahead of time. Come on!" They made a dash for it and were settled down in their seats when the train began to move.

Micah was so excited he could hardly sit still. "How many miles is it to Chicago, Dad?" he asked a little later.

"I don't know exactly. Ask the conductor," suggested Dad. "Here he comes now. Get your ticket ready."

The conductor approached, and Micah proudly held out his ticket. "Thanks, young man," said the conductor. He looked at the tickets, and then turned to Dad. "Sir, I'm afraid you've either got the wrong tickets or the wrong train. Your tickets are for Chicago, but this train goes to Fort Wayne."

"Fort Wayne!" exclaimed Dad. "How could I have made such a mistake? I was sure I had the right train."

"I'll call you when we get to the next station," said the conductor as he moved on. "Then you can get off and catch the first train back the other way."

"Aren't we going to Chicago, Dad?" Micah asked anxiously. "What about the ball game?"

"I'm sorry, but we won't be able to go today," Dad answered. A moment later, he added thoughtfully, "You know, Micah, a lot of people are just like us."

"They are?" asked Micah. "How?"

"Well, everyone wants to go to heaven some day," explained Dad, "but many are trying to reach heaven the wrong way-they're on the 'wrong train.' They are very sincere, and their intentions are good, but the Bible says all the good things we do to try to get to heaven are like filthy rags in God's sight. Do you know the way that does lead to heaven, Micah?"

"Sure," Micah answered. "Jesus says He's the way."

"Right," said Dad. "There are other ways to get to
Chicago, but there's only one way to heaven. We can get there only through
Jesus."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you trying to get to heaven by living a good life? Going to church? Giving money to missions? That's like getting on the wrong train. It won't take you where you want to go. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Trust Him today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:6)
(Jesus said) No man cometh unto the Father (God), but by Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jacob waited impatiently for the delivery truck from Horne's Department
Store. Time dragged on, and there was no sign of the truck. Finally, Jacob
called his friend Nate. "Hi, Nate," he said. "Sorry I'm so late getting there,
but Mom and Dad had to go somewhere, so I have to wait till Horne's delivery
truck comes. I think Mom ordered a table or something."
 

"They don't make deliveries on Saturday," said Nate.

"Really?" asked Jacob. "You sure?"

"Pretty sure," answered Nate. "Just a minute. I'll check." After a brief pause, Nate returned to the phone. "My sister bought some stuff a week ago," he said, "and she says nobody delivers on weekends. So come on over." Jacob quickly hung up the phone and hurried to Nate's house.

When Jacob returned home, his mother showed him a note. "Where were you when the delivery man came?" she asked. "He left this on the door."

Jacob looked at the note. It read, "Called with bike at three o'clock. Contact store for future delivery date."

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Jacob. "You ordered that new bike for me? Nate said Horne's wouldn't deliver today! Can we go to the store and get it?"

"I'm sorry you took Nate's word for it instead of mine," said Mom, "but now you'll just have to wait."

That evening, Jacob needed help with his Sunday school lesson. "We're supposed to explain the Bible verse that says we shouldn't be 'blown here and there by every wind of teaching,' but I don't know what it means," said Jacob. 

Dad thought a moment. "Remember what happened this afternoon?" he asked. "You were told something that seemed to be logical and right and good. It was something you really wanted to believe, so you believed it without checking the facts with somebody who really knew the answers. Christians tend to do that sometimes, so Paul is warning them not to be so easily swayed by people who pretend to have God's truth but are really teaching false doctrine."

Mom nodded. "We need to check what people tell us about
God with what it says in the Bible," she added.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you believe everything you hear? If it "sounds okay," do you think it must be right? Don't build your life on your own thoughts and feelings or on the opinions of others. Seek the wisdom of God through His Word.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:14)
Be no more . . . carried about with every wind of doctrine.

[Soldier4Christ]

Stop in at my house and play a while, Elsa invited Maggie as they walked
home from school together.
 

"Okay," said Maggie, "but I'll have to call my mother to make sure it's all right."

After checking with Maggie's mother, the girls had a snack and then went to play in Elsa's room. "Let's pretend we're princesses," suggested Elsa.

"Oh, that would be fun," agreed Maggie. And so the girls made paper crowns for themselves and walked around in their long "princess gowns" (which Elsa's brother, Steve, said looked just like Mom's old dresses). They sat on imaginary golden thrones, while imaginary servants did everything they were told.

At the dinner table that evening, Steve passed the bread basket to Elsa. "Have a roll, Your Royal Highness," he teased. "Tell me, are you able to butter it yourself? If not, just snap your royal fingers and someone will apply the golden butter with a golden knife." Elsa grinned and made a face at her brother.

 "What's that all about?" asked Dad. When he heard of the afternoon's activities, he surprised Elsa by saying, "Want to know something? I guess we might say you really are a princess-and Steve is a prince."

"But you're not a king!" protested Elsa.

"No," answered Dad, "but since you both accepted Jesus as Savior, God is your Father, and He's the King of kings."

"Oh, that's right! I'm going to tell Maggie that tomorrow," Elsa said eagerly. "Won't she be surprised?"

"Does Maggie know Jesus?" asked Dad. "Is the King her heavenly Father?"

"I don't know," said Elsa. "I'll ask her. If she's not a
real princess already, maybe she'll want to become one."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a child of God-the King of glory? If you have accepted Jesus as Savior, you are. Maybe you don't feel much like a prince or a princess, but think about the fact that your heavenly Father is King of kings. Thank Him for the privilege of being His child.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 24:10)
The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Elsa was eager to find Maggie at school. "Remember how much fun it was to
pretend we were princesses?" she asked eagerly. "Well, guess what? Daddy says I
really am one. I'm a child of God, so I'm a child of the King, because God is
King of everything!"
 

"I never heard of that before," said Maggie doubtfully.

"It's what the Bible says," replied Elsa. "Anyone who accepts Jesus is a child of God. You can be one, too."

After school, the girls played again-this time at Maggie's home. Elsa's mother had told her to be home by five o'clock, but shortly before four-thirty, the door opened and Elsa burst in. "That Maggie!" she exclaimed angrily. "I'm not going to play with her anymore! We played 'princesses' again, and she kept all the prettiest dresses for herself. Then when I got off my throne for just a minute, she took it!"

"Dear me!" exclaimed Mom. She frowned. "How did you act? Are you perfectly sure you weren't trying to get all the best things for yourself?"

"But I was company," pouted Elsa. "Besides, I told Maggie that I should have them because I really am a child of the King, but she wouldn't even give my throne back. I fixed her, though! I threw her stuff at her and told her she looked ugly in them anyway, and then I ran home. So there!" Elsa stomped her foot angrily.

Elsa's father had come in just in time to hear her last speech. "Elsa," he said quietly, "do you think you acted much like a princess today? The Bible says that when we realize we're God's children-and when we look forward to being with Him in heaven-it causes us to 'purify' ourselves. That is, we try to live pure lives, even as Jesus was pure. Do you think your actions today were pure? Do you think your Father, the King, was pleased?"

"And do you think your behavior today will cause Maggie to want to become a child of God?" added Mom.

Elsa was ashamed. "I . . . I . . . I guess not," she
admitted. Then she had an idea. "May I go back right now and apologize, Mom?"
she asked. "I'll hurry!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful to behave as a prince or princess should? Do you try to always be nice to others, to say only kind things, to obey, and to have a good attitude? If you're a child of God, your life should show it. Ask Him to make you more and more like Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 3:3)
Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jacelyn ran into the living room and flung herself onto the couch,
sobbing. "Nobody, absolutely nobody, will do anything I want to do," she wailed.

 

Mom followed her into the room. "Jacelyn, I know you've been unhappy all day," she said. "Why don't you record on a cassette tape all the things that made you unhappy. I'll be back as soon as I get my cookies out of the oven, and we'll listen to it." Sniffling, Jacelyn agreed, and she went to get the equipment.

Before long, Mom and Jacelyn were listening to the recording Jacelyn had made. "Well, I wanted Mitch to go for a bike ride," came her voice from the tape, "but he wanted to shoot baskets. I told him I wouldn't. I wanted Amy to go with me instead. She said no and asked me to roller blade with her, but I didn't want to. Eva came over and I wanted to play jacks, but she wanted to play hopscotch, so I told her to find somebody else to play with. I wanted Sid to play, but he got bossy with me. I wanted Ellen to come out and play jacks, but she wanted to help Mom bake cookies, and I didn't. Then I wanted to go out, and Mom made me clean my room. When I did go out, I wanted . . ." Click! Jacelyn stopped the tape. "Oh, Mom, this sounds awful," she cried.

"Yes, it does," agreed Mom, "but this is the way you sounded to others. It's also the way you sounded to God. You weren't trying to please anybody except yourself this morning. You mentioned a lot of things you wanted, but the other kids wanted to have fun, too. You didn't show them a good time or try to please them, and you didn't have a good time, either, did you?"

"No, I didn't! I guess I wasn't very nice," confessed Jacelyn. "I . . . I'm going to do better-honest!"

Mom smiled. "You'll need God's help, honey," she said.
"Confess your need, and then ask God each day to keep you from being selfish."
She gave Jacelyn a hug as she added, "When you start to say something selfish,
think of how it will sound to others, and with God's help, don't say it.
Instead, think of what the other person would want. You'll be happier when
you're willing to put others ahead of yourself."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is "I want" too much a part of your vocabulary? Would a recording of what you say show that you are selfish and always want your own way? A selfish person is not generally a happy person. Each day ask Jesus to help you put others ahead of yourself.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 2:3)
In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dena slammed the door. "I don't care if I never talk to Ginny again," she
stormed. "She invited me over and then forgot I was coming and went to the
mall."
 

"Oh, that's too bad," said Mom, "but I'm sure it wasn't intentional. Can't you forgive her?"

"Why should I?" Dena asked indignantly.

"Because Jesus wants you to," Mom answered. "Hasn't He forgiven you for greater things that that?"

"But Ginny's supposed to be my friend," whined Dena.

"You claim to be Jesus' friend, and He said His friends keep His commandments," Mom reminded her. "One of His commands is to forgive others." 

Dena slowly went to her room and sat down on the bed. She looked around the room. It was crowded with things-"wall-to-wall junk," her brother called it. She had an idea. "Mom," she called, "may I have a garage sale?" Mom agreed, and they began sorting things.

When Ginny stopped in the next day, Dena's brother grinned at her. "Ginny, join the junk jamboree," said Cullen, pleased with the sound of his invitation. Dena scowled, but noticing the look her mother gave her, she agreed that Ginny could bring things to sell, too.

The sale went well for Dena. "Nearly all my things sold, but Ginny had a lot of stuff left," she said with obvious satisfaction as she counted her money.

That evening, Dena didn't seem to be very happy in spite of her success. Mom frowned. "Honey, you've cleaned your room, but what about your heart?" she asked gently. "I think you need to clean out some bad feelings. You apparently haven't forgiven Ginny yet. You can't be a truly happy Christian when your heart is cluttered with anger and grudges."

Cullen looked up. "Yeah, you should have cleaned them out and sold them at your garage sale," he joked.

Dena sighed. "Nobody would buy them," she said, "and I don't want them, either." 

"So get rid of them," said Mom. "Tell God you're sorry and ask Him to help you forgive Ginny."

After a moment, Dena smiled. "I will," she said. "And
you know what? Now that I've decided to forgive her, I feel better
already."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you forgive others when they treat you wrongly? Holding grudges brings unhappiness to you as well as to them. Ask God to help you forgive others as you remember how much He has forgiven you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:13)
If any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dena slammed the door. "I don't care if I never talk to Ginny again," she
stormed. "She invited me over and then forgot I was coming and went to the
mall."
 

"Look!" Danielle pointed to a tin can at the curb. "Somebody is a litterbug."

"Yeah," agreed Scott. "Let's kick that old can all the way home and then dump it." As he drew back his foot to give it a kick, he noticed something sticking out of the end of the can. "What's in here?" he wondered as he picked it up. He pulled the contents out of the can. "Money! There's money in here!" Sure enough-the can was stuffed full of money!

That evening, Scott and Danielle eagerly discussed all the things they could do with the money they had found. "Hold on!" said Dad. "I'm sure someone will claim this money. It has to be returned, you know."

Danielle and Scott looked at one another in dismay. They had been afraid Dad would say that! "Let's pray about it," suggested Scott hopefully. "Maybe the Lord will show us that we should keep it. After all, why would He let us find it if He didn't want us to have it?" They could see from the look on Dad's face that he didn't think much of the idea.

The newspaper that evening had an article about an old hermit who claimed to have lost a tin can containing his life savings. According to the article, people who knew him didn't believe his story. They thought he should be placed in a state home for the elderly.

Danielle and Scott looked at each other sadly-they knew the owner of the money had been found. Scott had an idea. "Dad, this must be the answer to our prayers!" he exclaimed. "That crazy old man is almost ready to die-he doesn't need this money. We'd use it for good things and put a lot of it in the church offering." 

Dad shook his head. "Look what that money is already doing to you," he said. "I've never heard you talk so selfishly and so heartlessly. You're Christians-and if a Christian is anything at all, he should be honest."

Danielle and Scott looked at each other. "Yeah, I guess so," said Scott.

"I know we'd never be comfortable keeping it anyway,"
added Danielle. When Scott nodded in agreement, Dad smiled.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you find something that isn't yours-perhaps a pencil, a piece of candy, or money that someone dropped on the floor-do you try to find the owner? God wants His children to be honest, and He rewards those who do the right thing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:17)
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mommy! wailed Peggy one day. "Ducky's gone! Bob took him. I know he did!"
Ducky was a stuffed toy, and although the little duck was no longer pretty,
Peggy loved it dearly. She didn't care that its fluff was all rubbed off and it
was limp and faded. Her brother, Bob, on the other hand, thought it was awful,
and he called it "The Ugly Duckling."
 

Mom called Bob into the room and asked him if he knew where Ducky was. Bob grinned. "That thing is gone?" he asked. "Good riddance! But don't look at me-I don't know anything about it."

"Well, then we'll all help look for Ducky," said Mom, and the search was on. They looked everywhere-in the attic, under the porch, even in the doghouse-but no Ducky was found.

A couple of days later, Mom had a talk with Bob. "Have you noticed that Peggy is still very unhappy over losing Ducky?" she asked.

"Yeah!" said Bob in disgust. "I never thought she'd feel so bad about that dumb old thing made of rags and sawdust. How can anybody love anything so ugly?"

Mom smiled. "We never can account for the things we love," she said. "Actually, Peggy's love for the Ugly Duckling, as you call him, is like God's love for us. In a way, all of us are 'ugly ducklings,' too, but God still loves us. We're all ugly sinners-for example, some of us tell lies."

Bob's face turned red. "I . . . I . . ." He didn't know what to say. "I . . . I lied about Ducky," he admitted. "I hid him. He's on the top shelf in my closet."

Mom nodded. "I saw him there this morning," she said. "How do you think God feels about that?"

"I . . . I never thought about how He feels-or of myself as an ugly duckling," said Bob. He hesitated. "Do you think God loves me anyway," he asked, "like Peggy loves The Ug-I mean, like Peggy loves Ducky?"

"He loves you much more than that," Mom assured him. "He
loves you so much that He sent Jesus to take the punishment for your sins. He
wants to cleanse you and make you His child." She gave Bob a hug. "You don't
have to be like an ugly duckling anymore."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that, in God's sight, all of us are like "ugly ducklings"? The Bible says all have sinned, and sin is ugly. In spite of your sin, God loves you and sent Jesus to die for you. Have you admitted that you're a sinner and accepted Jesus as Savior? If not, do so today. (See page 66.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 5:
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tim finally agreed to go to Sunday school with me, Bill told his mother,
"but then this afternoon, he changed his mind. I wonder why?" Mom looked
thoughtful when she heard this.
 

Shortly after Bill went up to bed that night, he came running back downstairs. "Mom, my new flashlight doesn't work!" he exclaimed. Mom watched while Bill unscrewed the end. "Look!" he gasped. "There are old rags stuffed in here where the batteries should be!" He began pulling them out. "Where did these come from?" he wondered aloud. "They have words on them. Let's see . . .selfishness . . . disobedience . . . complaining . . . lying." Bill turned to his mother. "What is this?" he asked. "Who put these in here?"

"I did, Bill," answered Mom. "I decided to illustrate something." Bill looked puzzled, and Mom explained. "Just like old rags in the flashlight kept its light from shining, the things written on the rags will keep your light from shining for Jesus," she said. "I've noticed some of those things in your life quite often lately, and when I heard that Tim changed his mind about coming to Sunday school, I wondered if perhaps he had seen them, too. I couldn't help but notice the look on his face this afternoon when I asked you to help me with the groceries and you talked back to me."

"Well, I . . . I . . ." Bill was ashamed as he thought over the day. Besides the "grocery incident," Tim had heard him tell his teacher that he had finished a reading assignment, and Tim knew that wasn't true. Tim had also seen Bill lose his temper and show poor sportsmanship on the playground.

"The Lord wants you to get rid of the things that keep your light from shining," said Mom. "When you really shine for Jesus, Tim and your other friends will be able to see that you're a Christian."

Bill nodded. "I . . . I guess I'll have to apologize to Tim," he said slowly.

Mom nodded. "Yes, and to God," she said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your light shining brightly for Jesus? Don't let sins like laziness, lying, selfishness, or disobedience get in the way. Confess sin to God and ask Him to help you turn away from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:16)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

After a simple dinner one evening, Dad picked up the Bible for family
devotions. "I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard
my cry," Dad read slowly. "That's a good verse for us," he said. "We must be
patient and wait for the Lord to help us."
 

Jack frowned. "But why doesn't God answer our prayers?" he asked. "We've prayed and prayed, but things haven't gotten any better."

"Yeah," agreed Janet. "You're still out of work, and Mom's still in the hospital."

"And now that big storm knocked down most of the old barn on our property," added Jack. "It almost seems like God doesn't really answer prayer at all." 

"Well," said Dad, "God always answers the prayers of Christians, but He doesn't always say 'yes.' He sometimes says 'no,' or 'wait a while.' Jack, do you remember when Janet got her first two-wheel bike?"

"I remember!" exclaimed Janet. She grinned. "Jack begged for one, too, but that was silly. He was too little to ride one."

Dad nodded. "When you were old enough, we were happy to get you a bike, Jack," he said. "It's like that with God-He knows what's right for us, and if something is good for us, He'll give it to us at just the right time."

A few days later, Dad went to talk to Mr. Johnson at the bank about getting a loan. When he returned home, he was smiling. "God used the old barn to answer our prayers," he said. "Mr. Johnson's brother is in the construction business and buys old barn wood. I talked with him on the phone. He's eager to buy it, and he also offered me a job!"

"Wow! God did work things out!" exclaimed Jack. "I guess I should have known He would."

"But what about Mom?" asked Janet. "She's still not back home."

Dad nodded. "We'll keep on praying for Mom," he said.
"God will work out the very best plan for her life, too. Trust Him to do
that."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes think your prayers aren't being answered? God's will, though not always what you would choose, is best for you. Keep praying and wait for God's answer. His timing is always right.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 40:1)
I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dad! called Jeremy as he hurried into the house. "David's brother is in
jail!"
 

Dad sighed. Jon, the older brother of one of Jeremy's friends, had been in trouble before. "What did he do?" Dad asked.

"David said Jon and another kid broke into a house and stole some money," replied Jeremy.

Dad shook his head. "His parents must be very disappointed," he said.

"While I was there, David's mom was talking to Jon on the phone," said Jeremy. "She was crying. After she hung up, she told us that Jon said he was sorry, and he promised to go for counseling." 

"We need to pray for them," said Dad. He stood up. "I was about to go running. Want to come along?"

"Sure!" agreed Jeremy, and soon they were running along the roadside.

When they came to the place where Dad usually tuned to go back, Jeremy looked at him. "Let's go a little farther this time," suggested Jeremy. 

"Farther?" asked Dad. "You sure?"

"Why not? Can't you hack it, Dad?" Jeremy teased him.

Dad grinned. "I've been training for weeks," he said. "Keep going. We'll see who can't hack it!"

As they went on, Jeremy's legs grew heavier. He soon felt as though his lungs were going to explode. Finally, Dad stopped. "Okay, that's enough," said Dad. "Let's head back."

"Yeah. This is . . . far enough," agreed Jeremy, panting heavily. "It'll take forever . . . to get back . . . from here."

"Well, that's the thing. For every step you go out, you have to take another one to go back," Dad said.

Jeremy was exhausted. "Let's just walk back. Why did I ever want to go so far?" he moaned.

"Jon's gone too far, too, hasn't he?" Dad asked as they
started back. "It will take a lot of time and effort for him to make everything
right again-with the law, with God, and with his parents. Always remember that
for every step you go wrong, you have to take another one to go back. Every step
in life has a consequence."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you done something that you wish you hadn't done? Remember that the more wrong steps you take, the more difficult it may be to make things right. Start back right now. Ask God to forgive you and to help you. Always remember that all actions have consequences.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 6:7)
God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.